Oct 3, 1893

Born in Southampton, England as Maximilian Schiff

Mar 7, 1913

Embarked the SS Grampian in Liverpool under the name of Maximilian Schiff

His age on the ship’s manifest is shown as 18 years and his age on the 1911 British Census is given as 15 years, which would indicate that the birth year of 1893 may be in error

Mar 17, 1913

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Woodstock, Ontario

Jul 12, 1916

Attested into the CETD (Canadian Engineering Training Depot) of the CEF in Windsor, Ontario under the assumed name of John Collier 

Ø      Number 505550

Ø      Next of kin given as Miss Millie Collier, sister, Norval Stn., Toronto, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Carpenter

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Aug 16, 1916

Admitted to the Valcartier Camp Hospital diagnosed with a Hernia.  He was transferred the same day to the Quebec City Hospital and the diagnosis was changed to read Varicocele where surgery was performed.

Aug 29, 1916

Transferred to the Quebec City Convalescent Home to recover from the surgery

Sep 7, 1916

Discharged from hospital to duty

Nov 1, 1916

Embarked the SS Caronia in Halifax, Nova Scotia as part of the 19^th Draft of the CETD

Nov 3, 1916

He was admitted to the ship’s infirmary with a diagnosis that reads Gonorrhea

Nov 11, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and was admitted directly into the Seaforth Military Hospital

Nov 23, 1916

Discharged from hospital proceeded to join the CETD in Crowborough

Dec 31, 1916

Admitted to the Crowborough Camp Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Gonorrhea

Jan 24, 1917

Transferred to the Gosham Hospital

Feb 6, 1917

Transferred to the Hilsea Military Hospital in Portsmouth, with a soft chancre

Feb 26, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

May 26, 1917

Posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Jun 19, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 20, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Jul 8, 1917

Left the CIBD and joined the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion in Hersin as part of a draft of 53 reinforcements destined to join the 21^st Battalion

Aug 14, 1917

While on a work party with the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion, Private Schiff was killed in action, before he could physically join the 21^st Battalion.  The 2^nd Entrenching Battalion notes 12 Other Ranks being wounded and 2 killed on this date. 

He was buried in the Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, France

At the time this photo was taken, he was still listed under his assumed name, John Collier 

Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his sister, Miss Camille Schiff, 47 Weymouth St., Providence, Rhode Island, USA 

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. Sabina Collier, 13, Benwell Rd, London, England

Mar 26, 1923

His name in the file was officially changed to from John Collier to Max Schiff